A police pursuit ended in a crash that closed the A38 near Bristol Airport for more than four hours on Tuesday morning, with two people taken to hospital as a precaution.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary said a driver failed to stop for officers in the Langford area shortly before 4.50am, leading to a pursuit that ended at a roundabout near Redhill, close to the airport. A Volkswagen Golf travelled the wrong way around the roundabout and crashed into a Honda CRV belonging to a member of the public.
The A38 westbound was closed from about 4.50am until shortly before 9am while officers dealt with the scene, according to Bristol Live. The occupants of the Honda were taken to hospital as a precaution but have since been discharged. The occupants of the Volkswagen made off on foot and were not found despite a search of the area. The vehicle has been seized and enquiries are continuing.
A force spokesperson said: "We will offer them any support services they may benefit from," referring to the Honda's occupants, and confirmed the Volkswagen's occupants fled before officers could locate them.
The A38 is one of the main approach roads to Bristol Airport from the north, and the closure fell across the early morning departure period, a time when the airport typically handles its first wave of holiday and business flights. There is no indication the crash itself affected flight operations, but drivers heading to the terminal during the closure window would have faced diversions or delays on the approach.
Police are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage from the time of the crash, and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 5226342976 or complete the online appeals form.
Sources: Bristol Live (Bristol Post) and the Weston Mercury.
What this means for your journey: if you are driving to Bristol Airport via the A38, check live traffic conditions before you set off, especially for early morning flights, and see our /parking/ guide for alternative routes and on-site parking options.